Fresh grapes market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The Namibian fresh grape market expanded significantly from 10 865 t in 2018 to 20 443 t in 2020, largely due to the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme. This policy required traders to source a minimum of 47% of fresh produce locally before importing, which directly boosted domestic production and limited imports. The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) enforced quality standards, further supporting market growth.

By 2021, market volume reached 23 631 t, driven by strong export demand from countries like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, which stimulated production. However, in 2022, volume dipped to 19 745 t, coinciding with known production constraints such as high input costs and infrastructure limitations. The MSP threshold adjusted to 41.5%, maintaining focus on local sourcing.

The market recovered to 22 992 t in 2023, with regulatory oversight through NAB and MSP continuing. Significant investments were announced, including the Otjimbele Agriculture Project's N$120 million commitment to launch commercial grape production by 2025, and the Namibia Grape Company's N$24 million investment in vineyard replanting in 2024, setting the stage for future growth.

Production fresh grapes in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Fresh grape production in Namibia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Namibia produced 34 956 tonnes of fresh grapes, representing a 5.6% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 28 500 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 9.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh grapes from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Namibia exported 15 239 tonnes of fresh grapes in 2020, marking a significant drop of 22.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 45%, with an average annual decline of 18.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 34.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Namibia's fresh grape exports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, accounting for 29.4% of exports, the Netherlands at 29.0%, and Germany at 12.9%. Together, these three countries represented 71.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Fresh grape export volumes from Namibia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Namibia exported fresh grapes worth 24 047 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 32.2% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 36.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 14.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 50 108 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, with 29.4% of export value, the Netherlands at 26.2%, and Germany at 16.5% were the principal destinations for Namibia's fresh grape exports in value terms. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 72.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020

Imports fresh grapes to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Namibia imported 726 tonnes of fresh grapes, indicating a sharp decline of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 595 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 990 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 66.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the key partner for Namibia's fresh grape imports in volume terms, accounting for 99.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Namibia's fresh grape imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 091 thousand US dollars, which is 29.5% less than the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 548 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 32.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of fresh grapes to Namibia in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in South Africa, whose share reached 99.9%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020